Telephone set



@m1351944 f 'O.A.SHANN `2,351,459

TELEPHONE SET Filed Jde a, 1945 f 2 sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY i June 13; 1944'. o. A. sHANN 2,351,459

l A TELEPHONE sET Filed June 8, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVE/v TOR 4O. A. SHANN A TTORNE'V- Patented June 13, 1944 TELEPHONE SET Oscar A. Shann, Short Hills, N. J., assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June s, 194s, serial No. 490,034 12 claims. I(ci. 1794-100) This invention relates to telephone sets and particularly to improvements in switching mechanisms for such sets.

An object is to increase the utility of such sets and materially simplify the manipulation of the telephone equipment.

Heretofore telephone sets have been used in which plungers in the cradle where the handset normally rests control switching contacts to close the line circuit when the handset is removed from the cradle. Other plungers and contacts have also been provided to control amplifying and volume control devices for the receiver when the telephone set is in use. Lighting devices for illuminating the sets and the dial equipment have also been used and controlled by various switching arrangements in the telephone set.

The present invention relates to arrangements in telephone sets of instrumentalities of these general characteristics to simplify the manipulations required in dialing a desiredsubscriber over the associated line circuit. A feature thereof is the provision, in addition to the usual plungers in the cradle and the line switching contacts controlled thereby, of a special plunger in the cradle and switching contacts controlled thereby, of a sound amplifying device and a lamp and circuit connections for these equipments and a reiiecting mirror on the underside of the handle portion of the handset, said elements and circuits being so arranged that by tilting the handset in the cradle until notches in the handle portion thereof engage the plungers for the line switching contacts these plungers are released to permit the line switching contacts to close the line circuit to the set, while the special plunger is held in its normal position by the handset in this tilted position. Under these circumstances the circuit connections include the amplifying device in the receiver circuit with a local battery and close a circuit to light the lamp from this battery. The tilted position of the handset now causes thel rays from the lighted lamp to be reilected by the mirror in the handle portion to illuminate the dial. The subscriber may then dial a desired number without removing the handset. If the line is busy, the busy tone will be distinctly heard in the receiver due to the presence of the amplifying device in its circuit. If the line is idle the subscriber may remove the handset from the cradle and in so doing the special plunger will be released to permit the switching contacts controlled thereby to remove the amplifying device from the receiving circuit and open the lamp circuit to extinguish the lamp.`

- secured inside the housingl I.

The lamp will be so placed in the stand that the light rays therefrom will be shielded from the subscribers eyes The applicants invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l shows a perspective of a telephone set with the handset removed from the cradle and provided with the usual dialing equipment and to which the applicants invention has been applied;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a part of the handset taken on a line directly through the cradle across the usual plungers and the special plunger arranged in accordance with the applicants invention;

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-section taken approximately on the line `3---3 of Fig. 2'showing one of the line switching contact plungers and the mechanism controlled thereby;

vFig. 4 is a partial'view taken from the bottom of the handset showing the line switching contacts and the special contacts controlled by the special plunger;

Fig. 5A shows a portion of the'telephone set with the'handset tilted in its cradle;

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-section through the handle part of the handset showing how it is locked inv tilted position by one of the regular plungers;

Fig. 7 shows a cross-section similar to that shown in Fig. 6 taken across the special plunger and the lamp inserted on one side of the cradle;

Fig. 8 shows a partial perspective of the handlel of the handset with one of the notches clearly Fig. 9 shows a typical subscribers telephone circuit with the applica'nts invention applied thereto.

'Ihe telephoneset illustrated in Fig. 1 consists of the usual housing I, a dial 2, a cradle 3 through which the usual line switching plungers 4 and 5 protrude and'also the special plunger 6, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The handset consists ofthe vhandle 'I with the trans'- mitter 8 and the receiver 9. Referring now particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 in particular,it will be noted that the regular line switching plungers 4 and 5 operate on levers I0 and I2 forming part of a bracket I3 rotatably'mounted on the shaft I4. This bracket controls, by means of a projection I5, the line switching contact set I6 supported on a projection I'I from the member I8 Normally when the handset'is placed in the cradle these plungers are depressed, rotating the bracket I3 to maintain the line switching contacts I6 open. In Fig. 4 these contacts have been shown closed as it is assumed that the hands-et has been removed. In the middle of the cradle is located a special plunger 2G which is journaled in the cradle 3 at 2| and in the support I8 at 22. Attached to this plunger and running first in a horizontal direction is the bracket 23 which is guided by a pin 24 soas not to turn when the plunger is depressed. This bracket 23 beyond the pin 24 is bent downwardly in an oblique direction and then horizontally to form a support for a cone-shaped insulation button 26; for control of the special contact group 21 mounted on the extension I1 on the opposite side of the line switching contacts I6. Normally when the plunger is down in its lower position the button 26 is located below the springs 21 `-and'when it is raised the button 26 separates two of the contacts 28 and 29 of the group 21 and thereby causes various combinations of connections to lbe made between-the contacts and inthis group. The button normally is made to rise intoy a position to control the contacts 21 by means of a spring 30 secured tothe member`l8. 7In Fig. 4 the contacts 28 and 29 have been shown separated-to establish the connection desired when the handsetis removed Yfrom the cradle.

Referring to Figs.r 5 to 8, these gures illustrate how the handset may be tilted in the cradle. In Fig. 5 it is shown lying in the'cradleinzthe tilted position andthe mirror 35 secured'to-the underside of the handle 1 is -in position'to reect rays `from the lamp 36 which is located in front of this mirror but out of reach of thehandle of the handset nomatter in what position'it is located. In this. tilted positionv of the-handle 1 the notches suchas 31 on theY rear side-of the handle engage the plungers 4 and 5 and permit these plungers. to lock the handset in this position and torise sufficiently to cause the closure of the lineswitching contacts 'I6 as .shown in Fig. 6 for example. In Fig. '7 it will be noticed that the special plunger 2l) .is not permitted to rise sufliciently to operate the contacts 21 but is held inits downward normal position by the edge` 380i the handle 1 -in the tilted position in the same manner as'it Would be held when the handset rests normally in the cradle. In Fig.` 7 isV also shown a cross-section where the lamp 36 islocated. This housing I-may be so shaped that when Lthe lamp is screwed into its socket 39 in the housing it will be in a position Where a shielding portion of the housing as shown at 40 prevents rays from this lamp to be directed in the subscriberseyes while on the'right-hand side of the lamp looking atFig;` 6 the rays may shine on the mirror 35 and be reflected by this mirror directly on to the-dial 2 and illuminate it sufficiently so that incase thedial is to. be operatedqin the dark sufllcient light will shine on the dial to permit the numerals to be observed byA thesubscriber. The dial may be made ofa transparent material that will aid inA further diffusing the rays from the lamp to illuminate the dialing.

Referring-now to the'circuit diagram shown in Fig. 9,. the manipulation of the telephone set in dialing will now be described. When the subscriber desires to dial a number he Will tilt the handset to the position shown in Figs. 5 to '1 and thereby cause the plungers 4 and 5 to rise to close the switching contacts I6. It should be observed, ofcourse, that at this time the plunger 20 isnot moved to change the condition vof the contacts 21. By this movement of the handset the line circuit is closed through to the central oiiice to permit dialing. It should also be observed that an amplifier, which may consist of the usual magnet 50, diaphragm 5I and microphone contact 52, is included in the receiver circuit when the switching contacts 21 are closed. This amplifier may be enclosed inthe housing I with the other standard lelements ot the telephone set such as the induction coil; ringer and condenser. The receiver circuit under this condition may be traced from the receiver 9 through the middle winding of the inductance coil 54,

contacts I6 and 21, resistances 56 and 51, Wind- .ing of coil 53,- diaphragm 5I, button 52, battery `553, contacts 21, contacts I6 and 21, contacts of dial 2 back to the receiver 9. Therefore, if the called line is busy the busy tone transmitted across the line conductors 60 and 6I will pass from conductor E0, contacts I6, contacts of the dial 2, transmitter 8, the left-hand winding offrepeating coil 54 to conductor 6I and will be repeated to the middle winding of this coil over the above traced receiver circuit and amplied through the amplifying device. Thus this tone will bey distinctly heard in the receiver while it remains on the cradle in the tilted position and thereby save the subscriber from the troubleof removing and replacing the handset in the usual manner when a busy signal is received. iAll the subscriber has to do is to restore the handset from the tilted position to the normal position in the cradle. Of course, if vthe line is idle the subscriber will merely remove the handset from the cradle and thereby cause the operation of the `contacts 21 as the button 20 will now be permitted to rise in the cradle to operate these contacts. When these contacts are operated vthe amplifying device will be removed from thereceiver circuit which will now extend fromthe receiver 9 through the middle winding of the repeating coil 516, contacts I6 and 21, contacts of dial 2 back to the receiver, the amplifier circuit being open at contact 21. As-stated the lamp 36 will light the moment the handset is put in the tilted position in the cradle. `The circuit for this lamp may be traced from the lamp 36 through battery4 59, contacts 21 and i6 back to the lamp and thus the light from' this lamp will be reflected through the mirror 35 to illuminate the dial. When the handset is removed from the cradle or restored to the normal position in the cradle, this lamp circuit will be opened on the operation of contacts 21.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a line, a telephone hand` set including aV receiver, a stand having a cradlev ior said handset, sound amplifying means in the stand, a signal lamp in the stand,` a source of current. means operative when the handset is tilted in the cradle in a certain position for holding it in said position and for lighting said lamp from said source, and connecting the receiver and ampliiier in series across said source and to theline and operative when the handset is subsequentlyv removed for extinguishing said lamp. and disconnecting said amplifier from the linef and the receiver.

2, In combination, a line, a telephone handset, a stand having a lcradle for said handset, a dial mechanism having a dial located outside vof saidv stand, a lamp signal, means responsive to'the tilting of the handset in the cradle in a certain position for holdingit in saidr .position and for lighting the lamp and connecting the dial mech--V anism to the line for dialing, a mirror on said handset in position to 'reflect light from said lamp on the dial when the handset is in said tilted position.

3. In combination, a telephone handset, a mirror connected to said handset, a stand having a cradle inY which the handset normally rests in a certain position to hide the mirror from view, a lamp in said stand, and means operated on the tilting of said handset in said cradle to another position for lighting said lamp and cause rays from said light to be reected by said mirror on the stand to illuminate it.

4. In combination, a telephone handset, a mirror secured to said handset, a stand having a cradle in which the handset normally rests in a position so that the mirror is hidden from view in the cradle, a lamp in said stand, means operative on the tilting of said handset in said cradle to occupy another position for lighting said lamp, said other position of the handset being such that rays from the light are reflected by the mirror to illuminate the front portion of the stand, means operative on the subsequent removal of the handset from the cradle for extinguishing said lamp.

5. In combination, a line, a telephone handset, a mirror mounted on said handset, a stand having a cradle in which the handset normally rests in a position to hide the mirror from view, a dial mechanism inside the stand having a translucent nger wheel outside said stand, a lamp in said stand, means including plungers in the cradle and switching contacts inside the stand for actuating certain of said plungers when the handset is tilted into a certain position in the cradle to control said contacts to light said lamp and cause the rays from said lighted lamp to be reilected by said mirror to illuminate the nger wheel and to enable the dial mechanism for dialing over the line, and for actuating another plunger when the handset is subsequently removed from the cradle for extinguishing said lamp.

6. In combination, a line, a telephone handset including a receiver, a stand having a cradle in which the handset normally rests, sound amplifying means for the receiver in said stand, switching springs and circuits in said stand for connecting the receiver and the amplifying means therefor to the line, plungers for actuating said springs to normally maintain the receiver and amplifier means disconnected from the line when the handset rests in its normal position in the cradle, said plungers and said handset being so shaped that if the handset is tilted at a certain angle while resting in the cradle, the plungers will be released and engage the handset to hold it in said tilted position, the release of the plungers causing the release of said springs to control said circuits to connect said amplifying means and receiver to the line, another plunger in said cradle operative when the handset is removed from the cradle and other springs and circuits in said stands operative when said last-mentioned plunger is actuated for disconnecting the amplifying means from the receiver and the line.

7. In combination, a line, a telephone handset including a receiver, a desk stand having a cradle in which the handset normally rests, sound amplifying means for the receiver in said stand, a source of current, a signal lamp for illuminating the outside of said stand, switching springs and circuits in said stand for connecting the receiver, the amplifier and the signal lamp across said source of current and to the line, plungers in said stand for actuating said springs to normally maintain said receiver, amplifier and signal lamp disconnected from the line and from the source of current, said plungers and said handset being so related and shaped that if the handset is tilted in the cradle at a certain angle while remaining in thecradle, the plungers will release and engage the handset to hold it in said tilted position, the release of the plungers causing the release of said springs to control saidl circuits to connect said receiver, amplier and signal lamp across said source of current and to said line, another plunger operative only when the handset is removed from the cradle and other contact springs and circuitsin said stand actuated by the operation of said other plunger for disconnecting the amplifier and signal lamp from across said source of current and from said line.

8. In combination, a telephone handset, a mirror in said handset, a stand having a cradle in which the handset normally rests in a certain position, a lamp in said stand, three plungers in said cradle normally depressed by the handset when resting in the cradle in the normal position, said plungers being so related tothe handset that when the handset is tilted to a certain other position in the cradle two of said plungers are released and engage notches in the handset to maintain said handset in said tilted position while the other plunger is only released when the handset is removed from the cradle, means including contacts in the stand controlled by said two plungers when the handset is in tilted position to light said lamp, a mirror on said handset being so located that when the handset is tilted it will reflect the light from the lamp to illuminate the stand, and means including contacts in said stand controlled by said other plunger when the handset is removed from the cradle for extinguishing said lamp.

9. In combination, a telephone handset, a mirror in said handset, a stand having a cradle in which the handset normally rests in a certain position, a telephone circuit, a line, an amplier in said stand, a lamp in said stand, plungers in said cradle normally depressed by the handset when resting in the cradle in the normal position, said plungers being so related to the handset that when the handset is tilted to a certain other position in the cradle two of said plungers are released and engage notches in the handset to maintain said handset in said tilted position While another plunger is only released when the handset is removed from the cradle, means including contacts in the stand controlled by said two plungers when the handset is in tilted position to light the lamp and include said amplier in the telephone circuit to amplify signals received over the line and to connect said line to the telephone circuit in the stand, the mirror in said handset being so located that when the handset is tilted, it will reflect light from the lamp to illuminate the stand, and means including contacts in said stand controlled by said other plunger when the handset is removed from the cradle for extinguishing the light and removing the amplier from the telephone circuit.

l0. In combination, a line, a telephone handset including a receiver, a mirror in said handset, a stand having a cradle in which the handset normally rests in a certain position, an amplifier in said stand, a lamp in said stand, plungers in said cradle normally depressed by the handset when resting in the cradle in the normal position, said plungers being so related to the handset when the handset is tilted to a certain other position in the cradle'that two of said plungers are released and engage notchesy in the handset to maintain said handset in said tilted position while another plunger is only released when the handset is removed from the cradle, means including contacts in the stand controlled by said two plungers when the handset is in tilted position to light the lamp and connect the amplier and the receiver in series to the line to amplify signals received over the line, the mirror in said handset being so located that when the handset is tilted, it Will reflect light from the lamp to i1- luminate the stand, and means including contacts in said stand controlled by said other plunger when the handset is removed from the cradle for extinguishing the light and removing the amplier from the receiver and line.

11. In combination, a line, a telephone handset including a receiver, a stand having a cradle yfor said handset, sound amplifying means in the stand, means operative when the handset is tilted in the cradle to a certain position for holding it in saidr position and for connecting the receiver, and amplifying means to the line to enable the subscriber to hear signals incoming onthe line Without having to hold the receiver to his ear.

12. In combination, a line, a telephone handset including a receiver, a stand having a cradle for said handset, sound amplifying means in the stand, a dial in the stand, means operative when the handset is tilted in the cradle to a certain position for holding it in said position and for connecting the receiver, and amplifying means to the line for listening and for connecting the dial to the line for dialing.

OSCAR A. SHANN. 

